flstandardbreds Chapter 255 Acquitted
Chapter 255 Acquitted
County Magistrate Zhong looked at Constable Han Guang with sharp eyes, "Han Guang, they have all confessed, what else do you have to say now? As a government servant, you actually embezzled money. Where did the money go? How many accomplices do you have? Who instructed you?"
Constable Han Guang also wanted to defend himself, but he was more afraid of being thrown into the frying pan. If his hand was fried by the steaming frying pan, there would be no way he would survive.
"Subordinate, subordinate..." Constable Han Guang hesitated for a long time, and finally confessed with difficulty the three yamen runners who had done these things with him.
A bailiff knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Please understand, Lord Zhong, I and others were only cooperating with Constable Han to collect some land taxes. The extra grain, silver, and protection fees collected from West Street were all taken away by Constable Han."
The other one was Constable Tian, Han's lackey. He also said: "Yes, yes, we only got a little reward, so we brothers went to the restaurant to have a drink together, and the rest was taken away by Constable Han."
"Yeah yeah".
Seeing that everyone was pointing the finger at him, Constable Han Guang argued, "Sir, I didn't take advantage of such a large sum of money. I was working for County Magistrate Yang, and the money was with him. Everything was his idea, and I was simply following orders."
County Magistrate Yang, who was standing by, was so angry that his nose was about to be crooked. This damn bastard gave him up so easily.
He hurriedly explained himself, "Sir Zhong, please don't listen to their nonsense. They are just trying to shirk responsibility and deliberately drag me into this. You should know my character. I have always been diligent in my work and would never do such a stupid thing."
In the past, County Magistrate Zhong would have believed what County Magistrate Yang said, but today's drama really opened his eyes. Besides, this case of corruption was of great importance, so how could he be allowed to make excuses at will?
So he said in a deep voice: "Oh, in this case, to catch a thief, we must also seize the stolen goods. Come on, go to County Magistrate Yang's office and home immediately to search for evidence."
In fact, County Magistrate Zhong also wanted to send County Assistant Yang directly to the frying pan. He was the chief official of Taohua County. If his subordinates were corrupt, wouldn't it be him, the county magistrate, who was implicated? Unfortunately, Yang never coveted other people's benefits and lived an honest life. His family's life depended on the income from the shop under his wife's name, so they could live such a comfortable life.
But he was almost led astray by County Magistrate Yang. How hateful, how hateful.
But Yang Anmin was an official appointed by the imperial court after all, and he really couldn't torture someone to extract a confession without solid evidence.
Constable Xu Yan quickly clasped his fists and accepted the order, "Yes, sir."
He called out to several yamen runners, "Some of you go check the document library, and some of you follow me to search the house of County Magistrate Yang."
The two teams walked away in a mighty procession.
County Magistrate Yang clenched his fists, secretly hating the old man Zhong, who was also an official, and didn't give him any face at all. Even if he was found out, he would never be able to get away with it.
Fortunately, the place where he hid the silver in his home was hidden. Moreover, his confidant Liu Tan also followed Constable Xu to search, and he should also help cover it up. After all, he was also in the same boat.
But Su Yu is really hateful. He came up with such a method to deal with them. It would be better to let him try it himself to see if the oil pan is hot.
County Magistrate Yang Anmin suggested to County Magistrate Zhong: "Sir, now that the frying pan is ready, since this is Su Yu's idea, why not let him try it? Didn't he say he has a clear conscience? Isn't he afraid? Since he has the gods' blessing, he should be fine, right?"
An Huo, who was climbing on the wall, found today's excitement indeed interesting, but it also made him worried. He was already planning to go out and rescue his beloved disciple at any time.
County Magistrate Yang looked at Su Yu with vicious hatred. He was just waiting to see Su Yu make a fool of himself.
However, Su Yu simply ignored his gaze. He was not afraid at all. Not to mention the trick, even if he was fried in oil, he had the spiritual spring in his body and spiritual power to protect him, so the hot oil could not hurt him.
Su Yu said decisively: "Okay, I have a clear conscience and dare to give it a try, but Lord Yang, do you dare to try it together?" Su Yu looked at him provocatively.
County Magistrate Yang felt that he was shooting himself in the foot with his words, but he was very shameless. "I am an official appointed by the court. How can I take such a risk? Humph, everyone knows that hot oil can burn people. If Lord Zhong uses hot oil to torture me, according to the law, Lord Zhong will also be guilty of a serious crime." He shook his sleeves heavily.
Su Yu didn't give in to him and went straight to the big one, "Lord Yang, you don't even dare to try, don't you feel guilty?"
"Hmph, Su Yu, you're great... Okay, if you have the ability, just try it."
So Su Yu stood in front of one of the oil pans without saying a word and put his hand in casually. He acted so quickly that no one could react before his hand was in the oil pan.
In the crowd, besides his master, An Huo, the one he feared the most was Magistrate Zhong. Constable Xu had already left, so how could he tell which pot was the real oil pot and which was the oil and vinegar mixture? What would Su Yu do if he put his hand in the wrong pot?
The people around were shocked, "Oh my God, that's a frying pan."
"Ah,...so scary."
Mrs. Zheng was so frightened that she covered her eyes with her hands: "Oh my God, Mr. Su."
"Master Su," Zhong Qiaoer also shouted in fear.
"Brother Su," little Zhong Xuan also shouted in fear.
Not to mention Mrs. Meng, she wanted to rush out of the crowd, but there were so many people that she couldn't get out at all.
But after a while, Mrs. Zheng curiously opened her fingers again, wanting to see what the result would be.
The result was that Su Yu's hand came out of the bubbling oil pan intact, without any damage at all.
Even the dark fire in the dark was shocked. How on earth was this done?
Su Yu stretched out his hands to show his well-defined bones, and he stared at County Magistrate Yang with amusement.
"Sir Yang, I have already proven my innocence. Sir Yang, do you dare to put your hand into another wok of oil to prove your innocence?"
His confident smile dazzled Zhong Qiaoer's eyes in the sunlight. Zhong Qiaoer felt that Mr. Su was really dazzling and special in the crowd.
But in Yang Anmin's eyes, this smile was a naked provocation. He looked at the bubbling oil pan in front of him and didn't dare to reach in. He could only say: "Hmph, you are just a lowly person. I haven't done anything wrong. Why bother to take a risk?"
"Lord Yang, don't you want to prove your innocence in front of the people?"
"Yes, Lord Yang, you should give it a try. As long as you are innocent, God will definitely bless you." Some people really believe in God's blessing.
"Yes, yes," someone else echoed.
But no matter how the people tried to persuade him, County Magistrate Yang refused to try. The people felt that this official must be not innocent, so they kept talking about it.
After hearing those harsh words, County Magistrate Yang's face turned darker and darker.
After waiting for a few more cups of tea, a team of yamen runners reported to Magistrate Zhong, "Sir, we indeed did not find any evidence of guilt in the archives."
Hearing this, County Magistrate Yang's sweaty palms finally relaxed a little. Fortunately, fortunately, he was very careful in handling the letters he exchanged with others on a daily basis, especially the letters with General Bai Xiao, which he burned after reading.
Not long after, Constable Xu Yan also returned with his team.
Lord Zhong quickly asked, "What happened?"
Constable Xu Yan shook his head and said, "I didn't find anything unusual."
As soon as these words were spoken, County Magistrate Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, fortunately, there was still room for improvement. However, Han Guang could not be kept any longer. He knew too much.
County Magistrate Yang immediately said, "Sir, this constable Han Guang has casually accused his superiors, which is an unforgivable crime. Please forgive me for speaking frankly. Sir Zhong, you have to make the decision for me. I cannot bear this stigma."
Lord Zhong naturally did not believe what County Magistrate Yang said, but now that there was no evidence, he could not convict him for the time being. Everything had to be done slowly and not too hastily. He did not know his wolfish ambitions before, but now that he knew them, he could not let him get away.
County Magistrate Zhong smiled and said, "I almost wronged Lord Yang. I was careless."
"How dare I blame you, sir? You are wholeheartedly serving the people. It will be fine once the matter is clarified. It will be fine once the matter is clarified," County Magistrate Yang replied with a smile. Both of them were talking at face value with forced smiles.
Constable Han Guang, who was kneeling stupidly, couldn't believe that County Magistrate Yang had cleared himself of any blame and he had become the scapegoat.
County Magistrate Zhong saw that the matter was almost settled, so he announced, "Since this is the case, I hereby pronounce the verdict: Liu Ermaizi, A Fei, and Biao San, who have harmed the people and killed people many times, shall be given thirty strokes of the cane and exiled directly to the northern border to perform labor service. All the money in their homes shall be confiscated, and they shall be required to compensate Mrs. Tao's daughter and Mrs. Guo's family."
"As for the constable Han Guang and the three yamen runners, the stolen silver has not been found yet. The silver that was fined to constable Han Guang and the three others will all be confiscated and investigated. This is a serious matter of corruption. I will immediately put them in jail and we will deal with this matter later after the investigation."
"Su Yu and Wang Qiang were released without charge."
"Adjourn the court..."
"mighty…………".
The people were very happy to hear about this trial. Liu Ermaizi was a pest in West Street. It was definitely a good thing to catch him. They also got to watch a good show.
But who was this corrupt person? The case was closed, and the people gradually dispersed, but new gossip was about to cause new waves. The gossip that County Magistrate Yang was too guilty to dare to enter the frying pan was about to spread throughout Taohua County.
County Magistrate Yang also said goodbye in a hurry. He had to go back and think carefully about how to hide the stolen money in his basement in a good place. After all, keeping it at home was not a long-term solution.
Anhuo also felt that he had nothing to do here, and he had to go back to report to the prince. His figure instantly disappeared in the crowd, as if he had never been there.
Su Yu stood up and bowed again to County Magistrate Zhong, "Thank you, Lord Zhong, for your impartiality and for clearing my name."
Old Man Wang also followed Su Yu's example and bowed to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Master."
Sister Su Wanwan also followed their example and bowed to express her gratitude, "Thank you, sir. Lord Zhong is such a good official, not at all like County Magistrate Yang. That county magistrate is such an unreasonable official. He must be doing something fishy."
Su Yu glanced at her sister and said, "Be careful with your words."
He knew that County Magistrate Yang was certainly involved, but he was an official after all, and he was just a commoner. Besides, he had no evidence, so how could he fight him? He could only disgust him with the frying pan.